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[Brett-Butler]

"Pickup artist" Julien Blanc now finds himself in the illustrious company of Geert Wilders and the Westboro Baptists by being denied a visa to enter the UK. From BBC News:

Controversial US "pick-up artist" Julien Blanc has been barred from entering the UK by the Home Office.

The self-styled "dating guru" holds seminars claiming to teach men how to attract women but his methods have been widely criticised as sexually abusive.

A petition to deny him a visa attracted more than 150,000 signatures ahead of his UK tour, due to start in February.

Crime prevention minister Lynne Featherstone said she was "delighted Mr Blanc won't be coming to our shores".

In one recorded seminar, Mr Blanc is seen approaching girls and forcing their heads towards his crotch.

In the same video, he advises people on 'picking up' in Japan. "At least in Tokyo, if you're a white male, you can do what you want," he says.

"I'm romping through the street just grabbing girls. It's awesome."

Lib Dem MP Ms Featherstone said last week she was "extremely concerned" by the "sexist and utterly abhorrent statements" Mr Blanc had made about women.

"If he was allowed to perform in the UK I have no doubt that cases of sexual harassment and intimidation would increase," she said.

Now I must say that I am not familiar with the activities of Mr Blanc, but from what I can gather he appears to be rather ungentlemanly to say the least, and that no-one should ever pay money to see him ever. But was the UK right to deny him entry to the country? Is there now not the possibility that he will be regarded as a 'martyr' by his followers? And where should the line be drawn in terms of allowing someone entry into the UK?

I fully expect to hear someone from UKIP coming out and decrying the decision to bar him entry. Then we can all comment on the colour of tea-making devices.